Between the Pitons - 13:49N 61:01W
Neki
Mon 30 May 2011 14:55
Anse La Raye
Well......we started the evening with a beautiful dinner on the Neki,
followed by a big group singing session of "Jesus Take the Wheel" (starring
Deano on the Grey Goose bottle). We then went into Anse La Raye for the
famous local "Fish Fry" which was an mix of about 10 tourists and 400
islanders tying to sell us shit. Seriously, it was a super fun night where
everybody enjoyed the local people, food, jewellery, beverages, and most of
all the Karaoke where Deano belted out another rendition of Jesus Take the
Wheel, leaving emotional scars on all of the dozens of local children
watching in horror. John (a local) was our host and guide that night, and
took very good care of us. Let's just say the night ended the way that all
of them should have, with tons of rum back on the Neki along with some other
local selections.....
The next day, Saturday I believe, was a tough one given the antics of the
previous evening. We motored to LaLouise Plantation to moor for a few days,
eat amazing dinners, do the "spa thing" for the ladies, and climb Gros Piton
for the boys. We spent most of Saturday at the resort plantation, swam in
the pool, sampled the many rum concoctions, and relaxed. That night was a
nice dinner at the main resort restaurant, a nightcap at the swanky bar next
to the restaurant, one big-ass cockroach, a nightcap on the Neki, then off
to rest by midnight in preparation for a big day the next day.
Sunday, the boys went on a torturous (at least for Nobes and Deano) climb up
Gros Piton. The hike up the mountain took 2:10 to complete, most of it much
harder than we anticipated. Views from the top were spectacular, both to
the south and north. We wanted to get a view of the Neki far down in the
bay between the 2 Pitons, but could not. On the mountain, Dan aka Aquaman,
was just as he is in the water, smooth and in control. While Nobes and I
sweated out 4 times our body weight during the approx. 5 adventure, Dan
looked like he was walking around a campground. F Dan. The ladies spend
the day in the world-class JaLouise Plantation spa. Kath and Anj got a 2
hour hot treatment and massages, MB got the classic Swedish and loved it.
That night was a special treat, up to the top of the hill at Latera Resort,
where we dined like royalty and enjoyed some of the most striking views on
the island, through the centre of the Pitons at sunset -- spectacular!
Vodka drinks with the smallest of possible "splashes" of juice were had by
all back on the NeKi, with a night of fun conversation and discussing the
awesome few days we just had at JaLouise Plantation marina.
Since this will be my last "blog" entry, let me just say on behalf of
MaryBeth, Dan, and Kathy that the 3 of us are enormously grateful to John
and Anji Noble for a really special vacation on their extraordinary 65-foot
new Oyster! What a gorgeous boat, and even better friends. Your generosity
is deeply appreciated by all of us. We wish you many many years of happy
sailing with your family and other friends. Thank you.
